Docking sleeve with electrical adapter

ABSTRACT

A protective arrangement for an electronic device includes a flexible cover having a panel and a skirt that form an interior cavity to receive an electronic device; and an adapter fixedly positioned in the flexible cover and having a male plug with connectors extending into the interior cavity of the flexible cover for mating with a female socket of the device and a contactor with contacts adjacent outwardly from the flexible cover and electrically coupled to one or more of the connectors of the plug. A docking cradle or external adapter can receive the electronic device and cover. A docking cradle may have a movable arm.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/754,492, filed Jun. 29, 2015, which is acontinuation-in-part of PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2015/017131,filed Feb. 23, 2015, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/040,037, filed Aug. 21, 2014, and is acontinuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/222,320, filed Mar. 21, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/943,986, filed Feb. 24, 2014,all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cover for protecting a portableelectronic device, and in particular to a flexible cover having anelectrical adapter for coupling the device to a docking station.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Protective covers, or ‘skins’, are generally well-known for protecting aportable electronic device, such as a smartphone, or tablet or anotherportable electronic device. Such skins are typically somewhat flexiblewhich allows them to be wrapped around to partially envelop a device.

However, known protective covers, or ‘skins’, are limited in theirability to provide efficient and reliable usage of such portableelectronic devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a cover for protecting a portable electronicdevice that overcomes limitations of the prior art for efficient andreliable usage of such portable electronic devices.

One aspect of the invention is a protective arrangement for anelectronic device that includes a flexible cover having a panel and askirt surrounding the panel, where the panel and skirt form an interiorcavity therebetween, and the skirt forming a mouth opening thatcommunicates with the interior cavity that is configured and arranged toreceive an electronic device; an adapter fixedly positioned in theflexible cover and having a male plug with connectors extending into theinterior cavity of the flexible cover in an arrangement for mating witha female socket of the device and a contactor with contacts adjacentoutwardly from the flexible cover and electrically coupled to one ormore of the connectors of the plug; and a hard shell configured andarranged to be disposed around at least a portion of the flexibleprotective cover and having an opening through which the contactor ofthe adapter is extendable. The hard shell may also include corneropenings and the flexible cover may include corner portions configuredand arranged to protrude from the corner openings of the hard shell. Thehard shell may include at least one button opening and the flexiblecover may include at least one soft button configured and arranged toprotrude from the at least one button opening of the hard shell.

Another aspect of the invention is a protective arrangement for anelectronic device that includes a hard shell configured and arranged tobe disposed around at least a portion of the electronic device andhaving an opening to allow access to an input/output socket of theelectronic device; a flexible cover having a panel and a skirtsurrounding the panel, where the panel and skirt form an interior cavitytherebetween, and the skirt forming a mouth opening that communicateswith the interior cavity that is configured and arranged to receive theelectronic device disposed in the hard shell; and an adapter fixedlypositioned in the flexible cover and including a male plug havingconnectors extending into the interior cavity of the flexible cover inan arrangement for mating with the input/output socket of the devicethrough the opening in the hard shell and a contactor having contactsadjacent outwardly from the flexible cover and electrically coupled toone or more of the connectors of the plug.

Yet another aspect of the invention is a docking system that includesone of the protective arrangement described above and a docking cradlehaving a tray configured to receive the protective arrangement and adocking connector having contacts positioned to connect with one or moreof the contacts of the contactor.

Other aspects of the invention are detailed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of thisinvention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomesbetter understood by reference to the following detailed description,when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 each illustrate the same invention embodied by exampleand without limitation as a completely integral one-piece elastomericprotective cover, or skin, in situ as partially enveloping a targetportable electronic device, such as a smartphone or tablet or anotherportable electronic device of the prior art having a port for a dockingconnector;

FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 describe by example and without limitation adocking cradle of a type useful with the protective cover of theinvention;

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are different views that each illustrate by exampleand without limitation the protective cover of FIG. 1 with the portabledevice removed for clarity;

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-section view of the protective cover of FIG. 1taken through an electrical adapter of the invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates the elastomeric protective cover of FIG. 1 in situ aspartially enveloping the target portable electronic device;

FIG. 10 illustrates a plurality of electrical connectors of a male plugof the electrical adapter being mechanically and electrically mated witha female input/output socket of the target electronic device when thetarget device is received within an interior cavity of the flexibleprotective shell of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 illustrates the target portable electronic device being receivedwithin the flexible protective shell of the protective cover of FIG. 1,and the protected target portable electronic device being subsequentlyinserted into the docking cradle:

FIG. 12 illustrates the flexible protective shell of the protectivecover of FIG. 1, wherein at least a flexible center panel of theprotective shell is an integral window panel formed of a substantiallyoptically transparent flexible membrane for use with a portableelectronic device having a pressure-sensitive touch screen:

FIG. 13 illustrates the portable electronic device being received withinthe flexible protective shell of the protective cover of FIG. 1, whereinthe touch-sensitive screen of the target electronic device is positionedin contact with the integral transparent window panel of the centerpanel as disclosed in FIG. 12, and the protected portable electronicdevice being subsequently inserted into the docking cradle with thetouch-sensitive screen facing outwardly away therefrom;

FIG. 14 is a close-up section view of the protective cover of FIG. 1 asillustrated in FIG. 12, wherein the protective shell is formed with theinterior transparent window panel for use with the portable electronicdevice having a touch-sensitive screen, which illustrates the male plugof the electrical adapter being interfaced with electrical contacts ofthe female I/O socket of the portable electronic device;

FIG. 15 illustrates the protective cover of FIG. 1 being formed with theinterior transparent window panel for use with the portable electronicdevice having a touch-sensitive screen as illustrated in FIG. 12,wherein the interior window panel is positioned for being juxtaposedwith the touch-sensitive screen of the portable electronic device, andwherein the mouth opening through the side skirt of the protective shellis positioned adjacent to one side thereof between the transparentwindow panel and an opposing panel of the protective shell;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram that illustrates the electrical adapter ofthe protective cover of FIG. 1 being configured as a pass-throughelectrical adapter having electrical couplings between sequentiallyordered pairs of the plurality of electrical connectors of its male plugand corresponding electrical contacts of its contactor;

FIG. 17 is a block diagram that illustrates an alternative embodimentwherein the electrical adapter of the protective cover of FIG. 1 isconfigured as a converting electrical adapter having electricalcouplings between non-sequentially ordered pairs of the plurality ofelectrical connectors of its male plug and corresponding electricalcontacts of its contactor;

FIG. 18 illustrates the electrical adapter of the protective cover ofFIG. 1 having the converting adapter configured as its male plug andcontactor separated into two individual adapter plug and contactorbodies which are located in different areas of the protective shell;

FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 are cross-section views of the protective cover ofFIG. 1, wherein each of FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 illustrate the individualplug and contactor bodies of the electrical adapter are interconnectedin the protective shell of the protective cover, for example byelongated electrical cables, wires or other electrical conductors;

FIG. 21 illustrates the converting adapter configured as being separatedinto a plurality of male plugs (two shown) each located in the sideskirt of the protective cover of FIG. 1 at different areas of elastomershell;

FIG. 22 illustrates the protective cover of FIG. 1 having the male plugof the converting adapter separate and spaced apart from the contactorof the adapter, as more clearly illustrated in subsequent figures;

FIG. 23 illustrates the protective cover of FIG. 1 having the contactorof the converting adapter provided on external surface of the flexiblecenter panel, while the docking cradle is alternatively configured toposition the docking connector thereof in a position for coupling withthe contactor thus positioned;

FIG. 24 illustrates one embodiment of the docking cradle configured witha female nest for receiving the protective cover of FIG. 1 having thecontactor of the converting adapter provided on external surface of theflexible center panel, as illustrated in FIG. 25, and wherein thedocking cradle includes one part (magnets shown) of a magneticattraction couple operable between the protective cover and the dockingcradle for securing the protective cover in the docking cradle;

FIG. 25 illustrates the unitary protective shell of the protective coverof FIG. 1 formed with the locator dam configured as a complementary malenesting appendage configured to seat in female nest of the dockingcradle embodiment illustrated in FIG. 24, and wherein the protectivecover includes one part (magnetically permeable ferromagnetic membershown) of the magnetic attraction couple operable between the protectivecover and the docking cradle for securing the protective cover in thedocking cradle;

FIG. 26 is a cross-section view that illustrates the elastomeric shellof the protective cover of FIG. 1 as illustrated in FIG. 25 being seatedin the tray of the docking cradle embodiment illustrated in FIG. 24,wherein the complementary male nesting appendage of the protective coveris nested with the female nest of the docking cradle, wherein theportion of the magnetic attraction couple resident in each of theprotective cover and the docking cradle is operable for securing theshell of the protective cover in the docking cradle;

FIG. 27, FIG. 28 and FIG. 29 together illustrate an alternativeembodiment of the protective cover of FIG. 1 as illustrated in FIG. 25,wherein the components of the magnetic attraction couple are invertedbetween the protective cover and the docking cradle, i.e., wherein themagnetically permeable members are substituted for the magnets in thedocking cradle, while the magnets are substituted for the magneticallypermeable members in the protective cover, wherein FIG. 27 illustratesthe docking cradle configured with the magnetically permeable members,FIG. 28 illustrates the protective cover configured with the magnets,and FIG. 29 is a cross-section view that illustrates the protectivecover of FIG. 1 as illustrated in FIG. 28 being seated in the tray ofthe docking cradle embodiment illustrated in FIG. 27;

FIG. 30, FIG. 31 and FIG. 32 together illustrate an alternativeembodiment of cooperating the protective cover of FIG. 1 as illustratedin FIG. 25 and the docking cradle of FIG. 24, wherein the positioninginterface features the protective cover of FIG. 1 as illustrated in FIG.28 formed by the male nesting appendage and mating female nest isinverted, wherein FIG. 30 illustrates the protective cover of FIG. 25being configured with the female nest positioning interface feature,FIG. 31 illustrates the docking cradle of FIG. 24 being configured withthe complementary male nesting positioning interface feature, and FIG.32 is a cross-section view that illustrates the protective cover of FIG.1 as illustrated in FIG. 30 being mated with the tray of the dockingcradle embodiment illustrated in FIG. 31;

FIG. 33 illustrates the protective cover of FIG. 1 as illustrated inFIG. 18 through FIG. 20, wherein the complementary male nestingappendage is configured as the positioning interface dam in one sideskirt of the protective shell, as similarly shown in FIG. 6, for beingreceived into the female nest of the base receiver of the dockingcradle, as similarly shown in FIG. 11, and wherein in contrast, thepositioning interface dam on the exterior of the protective shell isspaced away from the male plug of the converting adapter, which plug isextended into the protective shell at a position in a different sideskirt of the shell away from the contactor and contacts of theconverting adapter, as disclosed herein, and wherein the complementarymale nesting appendage is further configured with one or more magnets ofthe magnetic attraction couple;

FIG. 34 illustrates the protective cover of FIG. 1 as illustrated inFIG. 33 having the electronic device installed therein, wherein themagnetically permeable members are substituted for the magnets of themagnetic attraction couple;

FIG. 35 is a cross-section taken through the protective cover of FIG. 1as illustrated in FIG. 33, wherein the male plug and contactor of theelectrical adapter are spaced apart in different areas of the side skirtof the protective shell, and wherein the complementary male nestingappendage is further configured with one or more magnets of the magneticattraction couple;

FIG. 36 is a cross-section taken through the protective cover of FIG. 1as illustrated in FIG. 34, wherein the male plug and contactor of theelectrical adapter are spaced apart in different areas of the side skirtof the protective shell, and wherein the magnetically permeable membersare substituted for the magnets of the magnetic attraction couple;

FIG. 37 illustrates the female nest feature of the base receiver in thedocking cradle, which includes one or more ferromagnetic members, forexample, exposed in flanking positions on either side of the biasingelectrical contacts of the docking connector;

FIG. 38 is a cross-section view taken through FIG. 37, which illustratesthe female nest features of the alternative base receiver, wherein oneor more magnets are substituted for the ferromagnetic members inflanking positions on either side of the biasing electrical contacts ofthe docking connector, as shown in FIG. 37;

FIG. 39 is a side view illustrating one embodiment of a contactarrangement of the adapter of a cover;

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an adapter for use ina cover;

FIG. 41 is a side view illustrating another embodiment of a contactarrangement of the adapter of a cover;

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of a cover that includes a peripheralcavity;

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the cover of FIG. 42 from a differentangle;

FIG. 44 is a perspective view of the cover of FIG. 42 with a peripheraldevice disposed in the peripheral cavity;

FIG. 45 is a perspective view of the cover of FIG. 42 with a portableelectronic device disposed in the interior cavity;

FIG. 46 is a perspective view showing the back side of the cover of FIG.42 with a peripheral device in the peripheral cavity and a portableelectronic device in the interior cavity of the cover;

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of another docking cradle;

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of a stand-alone docking cradle with aportable electronic device, such as a mobile phone, in a cover anddisposed on the cradle;

FIG. 49 is a perspective view of a wall mounted docking cradle with aportable electronic device, such as a tablet, in a cover and disposed onthe cradle; and

FIG. 50A is a perspective front view of a protective arrangement with aflexible cover and a hard shell;

FIG. 50B is a perspective back view of the protective arrangement ofFIG. 50A;

FIG. 51A is a perspective front view of one embodiment of a portableelectronic device, a cover, and an external adapter;

FIG. 51B is a perspective view of the portable electronic device, cover,and external adapter with the external adapter uncoupled from the cover;

FIG. 51C is a close-up perspective view of a portion of the electronicdevice, cover, and external adapter of FIGS. 51A and 51B;

FIG. 51D is a close-up perspective view of a portion of the electronicdevice, cover, and external adapter of FIGS. 51A and 51B with a portionof the external adapter cut away;

FIG. 52A is a perspective front view of one embodiment of a dockingcradle with a movable arm in an extended position;

FIG. 52B is a cut-away side view of the docking cradle of FIG. 52A;

FIG. 52C is a perspective front view of the docking cradle of FIG. 52Awith the moveable arm in the close position;

FIG. 52D is a cut-away side view of the docking cradle of FIG. 52C;

FIG. 52E is a perspective front view of the docking cradle of FIG. 52Awith a portable electronic device and a cover received by the dockingcradle; and

FIG. 52F is a cut-away side view of the docking cradle of FIG. 52E.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As required, a detailed illustrative embodiment of the presentprotective enclosure is disclosed herein. However, techniques, systemsand operating structures in accordance with the present protectiveenclosure may be embodied in a wide variety of forms and modes, some ofwhich may be quite different from those in the disclosed embodiment.Consequently, the specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are merely representative, yet in that regard, they are deemed toafford the best embodiment for purposes of disclosure and to provide abasis for the claims herein which define the scope of the presentprotective enclosure. The following presents a detailed description ofan illustrative embodiment (as well as some alternative embodiments) ofthe present protective enclosure.

In the Figures, like numerals indicate like elements.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate a completely integral one-piece elastomericprotective cover, or skin, 100 of the present invention in situ aspartially enveloping the portable electronic device 1 such as asmartphone or tablet or another portable electronic device of the priorart having a port for a docking connector 3. Cover 100 of the presentinvention is a sheath molded of a suitable elastic or flexibly resilientelastomer, such as but not limited to vinyl, in a size and shape to fitover and closely conform to the smartphone, tablet or other portableelectronic device 1 so that the cover 100 fits the device 1 like asurgical glove.

A smartphone, or smart phone, is a mobile phone with more advancedcomputing capability and connectivity than basic feature phones. Earlysmartphones typically combined the features of a mobile phone with thoseof another popular consumer device, such as a personal digital assistant(PDA), a media player, a digital camera, and/or a GPS navigation unit.Modern smartphones include all of those features plus usually includethe additional features of a touch-screen computer, including webbrowsing, Wi-Fi, and 3rd-party apps and accessories. The most popularsmartphones today are powered by Google's Android and Apple's iOS mobileoperating systems. See. e.g., Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.

A tablet computer, or simply tablet, is a mobile computer with display,circuitry and battery in a single unit. Tablets are equipped withsensors, including cameras, microphone, accelerometer and touch-screen,with finger or stylus gestures replacing computer mouse and keyboard.Tablets may include physical buttons, e.g., to control basic featuressuch as speaker volume and power and ports for network communicationsand to charge the battery. An on-screen, pop-up virtual keyboard isusually used for typing. Tablets are typically larger than smart phonesor personal digital assistants at 7 inches (18 cm) or larger, measureddiagonally. One example of a tablet is the iPad tablet computer fromApple. See, e.g., Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.

Hybrid tablets having detachable keyboards have been sold since themid-1990s. Convertible touch-screen notebook computers have anintegrated keyboard that can be hidden by a swivel or slide joint.Booklet tablets have dual-touch-screens and can be used as a notebook bydisplaying a virtual keyboard on one of the displays. See, e.g.,Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.

Other portable electronic devices can include, for example, testingequipment (for example, ohmmeters, multimeters, alignment tools, batterytesters, calibrators, distance meters, light meters, pressure meters,radiation detectors, thermometers, or the like), cameras, media players,or the like. In at least some embodiments, the portable electronicdevice includes a sensor for detecting, for example, temperature,pressure, leveling, angles, altitude, light, density, x-rays, magneticfields, acceleration, speed, velocity, distance, energy, current orenergy flow, force, durometer, mass/weight, torque, resistance,capacitance, voltage, reactance, or the like or any combination thereof.

As disclosed herein, an electrical adapter is part of protective cover100, the adapter includes a male plug having a plurality of electricalconnectors extending into a cavity formed by protective cover 100 in anarrangement for mating with a female input/output socket of thesmartphone or tablet or other portable electronic device 1, and acontactor having a plurality of electrical contacts that are positionedadjacent to an exterior of protective cover 100 and are electricallycoupled to one or more of the connectors of the plug.

Accordingly, when the electronic device 1 is received within the cavityof flexible protective cover 100, the plurality of connectors of themale plug are mated with the female socket of the device 1. Thereafter,the female input/output socket is electrically accessed through theplurality of contacts of the contactor that are exterior of protectivecover 100.

Protective cover 100, with the electronic device 1 installed therein, isthen inserted into a docking cradle 5 which includes docking connector 3having its own plurality of contacts. The docking connector is joined tothe contactor of the electrical adapter with one or more of theplurality of contacts of the docking connector being electricallycoupled with contacts of the contactor. Accordingly, the input/outputsocket of the electronic device 1 is electrically accessed through thedocking connector of the docking cradle 5 via the electrical adapter ofprotective cover 100.

FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 describe by example and without limitation adocking cradle 5 of a type useful with protective cover 100. Forexample, clocking cradle 5 has a tray 7 with a base receiver 9 sized toreceive a specific smartphone, tablet or other portable electronicdevice 1 already protected within the cover 100. Docking connector 3 isprovided in the docking cradle 5, often in the middle of base receiver 9of tray 7. The docking connector 3 may be specific to a particularportable electronic device 1, or may be generic to a type of device 1.Docking connector 3 includes a plurality of biasing electrical contacts11, typically biasing pogo pins or biasing leaf spring contacts.Electrical contacts 11 are coupled to leads 13 in an electrical wire orcable 15 coupled to docking cradle 5.

Docking connector 3 may also include optional guide pins 17 adapted formating with mating guide pin receivers in the contactor of theelectrical adapter, as disclosed herein.

Docking cradle 5 optionally includes a clamp 19 adapted for capturingthe specific portable electronic device 1 within base receiver 9 of tray7. Clamp 19 also has a compression component, i.e. arm 21 that operatesto compress the electrical contacts of the contactor on the exterior ofprotective cover 100 into contact with electrical contacts 11 of dockingconnector 3.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 illustrate the protective cover 100 of the inventionwith the portable electronic device 1 removed for clarity. Protectivecover 100 is complimentary in shape to portable electronic device 1.Protective cover 100 is shown being formed of a flexible unitaryprotective shell 102 having a flexible center panel 104 surrounded by anintegral flexible side skirt 106. Panel 104 and skirt 106 combine toform an interior cavity 108 therebetween that is sized to at leastpartially cover the side faces and one of the front and back faces ofportable electronic device 1, and to further extend around a peripheraledge of an opposite one of the front and back faces of portableelectronic device 1. A continuous integral lip 110 extends inward ofside skirt 106 and forms a mouth opening 112 that communicates withcavity 108. Mouth opening 112 is sized to receive electronic device 1therethrough into cavity 108.

Protective cover 100 includes an adapter 114 that is fixedly positionedin side skirt 106. For example, adapter 114 is either over molded,bonded or fastened through side skirt 106. Adapter 114 is formed of amale plug 116 having a plurality of electrical connectors 118 thatextend into cavity 108 of shell 102 in an arrangement for mating with afemale input/output socket of the portable electronic device 1. Adapter114 also includes a contactor 120 having a plurality of electricalcontacts 122 that are spaced away from male plug 116 at an opposite endof adapter 114, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. Adapter 114 is extendedthrough protective shell 102, for example, through either center panel104 or side skirt 106 (shown). Thus, while male plug 116 is extendedinto cavity 108 of shell 102, contactor 120 and its contacts 122 arepositioned adjacent to an exterior 124 of shell 102, whereby pluralityof electrical contacts are exposed for connection to electrical contacts11 of docking connector 3.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-section view of protective cover 100 takenthrough electrical adapter 114. As illustrated here, electrical contacts122 of contactor 120 are electrically coupled to one or more ofelectrical connectors 118 of plug 116 via electrical cables, wires,traces or other electrical conductors 126 (one shown for clarity)embedded in a body 128 of adapter 114. Contactor 120 of adapter 114 isoptionally formed with one or more guide pin receivers 130 sized andpositioned to mate with optional guide pins 17, if present, of dockingconnector 3.

Optionally, contactor 120 of adapter 114 is further recessed in outersurface 124 of unitary protective shell 102. By example and withoutlimitation, an optional dam 132 is formed in outer surface 124 ofunitary protective shell 102, and adapter contactor 120 is furtherrecessed within dam 132. Electrical contacts 122 of contactor 120 areprotected from damage by being recessed within dam 132 or otherwisewithin outer surface 124 of unitary protective shell 102.

FIG. 9 illustrates the elastomeric protective cover 100 of the presentinvention in situ as partially enveloping the portable electronic device1. Here, portable electronic device 1 is received within cavity 108 offlexible protective shell 102 through mouth opening 112 thatcommunicates with cavity 108. Electronic device 1 is inserted intoflexible protective shell 102 through mouth opening 112 in continuousintegral lip 110 through side skirt 106 that communicates with cavity108. One of either a front face 23 (shown) or a back face of electronicdevice 1 is exposed in mouth opening 112. Here, a touch-sensitive screenor other display 25 of portable electronic device 1 is exposed in mouthopening 112 for easy operation by user.

FIG. 10 illustrates plurality of electrical connectors 118 of male plug116 are mechanically and electrically mated with the female input/outputsocket 27 of device 1 when portable electronic device 1 is receivedwithin cavity 108 of flexible protective shell 102, as illustrated inFIG. 9. Accordingly, mating of male plug 116 with female input/outputsocket 27 creates access to power, sensor and/or other functions ofportable electronic device 1 from outside surface 124 of unitaryprotective shell 102.

FIG. 11 illustrates portable electronic device 1 being received withinflexible protective shell 102 of protective cover 100, and protectivecover 100 with portable electronic device 1 therein being subsequentlyinserted into docking cradle 5. Docking connector 3 of docking cradle 5is joined to contactor 120 of electrical adapter 114 with one or more ofplurality of biasing electrical contacts 11 of docking connector 3 beingelectrically coupled with electrical contacts 122 of adapter contactor120. Accordingly, portable electronic device 1 is accessed by dockingcradle 5 without being first removed from protective cover or ‘skin’ 100as required with prior art protective covers. Compression of clamp 19,when present, aids in maintaining electrical coupling between electricalcontacts 122 of adapter contactor 120 and biasing electrical contacts 11of docking connector 3.

FIG. 12 illustrates protective cover 100 reversed on electronic device 1with center-panel 104 adjacent to the face of device 1 having display25. Protective shell 102 is formed with mouth opening 112 thatcommunicates with cavity 108 positioned substantially opposite fromcenter panel 104. Continuous integral lip 110 extends inward of sideskirt 106 and forms mouth opening 112.

Here, an interior window opening 134 is formed in flexible center panel104 of flexible protective shell 102 opposite from mouth opening 112 andin a position over touch-sensitive screen display 25 of portableelectronic device 1 for operation of electronic device 1.

Center panel 104 of protective shell 102 is formed with interior windowopening 134 that communicates with cavity 108. Interior window opening134 is positioned and sized to reveal therethrough pressure-sensitivetouch screen 25 of a portable electronic device 1 residing in cavity108. A continuous integral lip 136 extends around periphery of centerpanel 104 inward of side skirt 106 and forms interior window opening134.

An integral interior window panel 138 is positioned in flexible centerpanel 104 within window opening 134, and is retained in protective shell102 by continuous integral lip 136 surrounding opening 134. For example,as more clearly illustrated in FIG. 14, a peripheral edge 140 ofinterior window panel 138 is welded, adhered, bonded or otherwise joinedto integral lip 136 of window opening 134. Optionally, an substantiallywatertight joint 142 is formed between interior window panel 138 andintegral lip 136 of window opening 134. According to one embodiment,interior window panel 138 is overmolded into integral lip 136 of windowopening 134 for joining to integral lip 136 and forming watertight joint142 therebetween.

Integral interior window panel 138 is formed of a substantiallyoptically transparent membrane for use with portable electronic device 1having a pressure-sensitive touch screen 25, whereby operation ofelectronic device 1 via touch-sensitive screen 25 is accomplishedthrough intervening window panel 138.

Optionally, interior window panel 138 is formed of a hard, inelastic andnoncompressible material. For example, the plastic sheet componentforming interior window panel 138 is optionally a noncompressible sheetof relatively hard and substantially visually transparent material,including but not limited to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or anothersuitable substantially visually transparent material. According to oneembodiment, the plastic sheet component forming interior window panel138 is optionally a noncompressible sheet of relatively hard andsubstantially visually transparent polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material. Asdisclosed herein, interior window panel 138 formed of PET or PVC orother hard, noncompressible and inelastic plastic sheet materialsimilarly permits tactile stimulation of the touch-sensitive screendisplay 25 of portable electronic device 1.

Alternatively, optionally either the entirety of protective shell 102,or only interior window panel 138, is formed of an optically transparentflexible elastomer membrane which is either clear, or may be tinted withcolor, such as pink or blue as may be aesthetically pleasing. In otherembodiments, the protective shell 102 is opaque or translucent and maybe any color or pattern. In such embodiments, the portable electronicdevice 1 is disposed within the protective cover 100 with its displayvisible through the mouth opening 112.

Optionally, the optically transparent elastomer of protective shell 102or only interior window panel 138 is a dielectric material having staticdissipative properties, such as an effective dielectric constant on theorder of about 4.5. For example, the elastomer includes a quantity ofpowdered metal, mixed-metal oxides, polymers, or is coated with a staticdissipative coating. Optionally, the optically transparent elastomer ofprotective shell 102 or only interior window panel 138 is polarized toreduce glare. Accordingly, protective cover 100 is optionally utilizedwith portable electronic device 1 having a pressure-sensitive touchscreen that permits inputting data of and operating the device 1 byapplication of light pressure by the user, as is generally well-known.

Portable electronic device 1 is illustrated as being inserted throughsecond mouth opening 112 into cavity 108 of flexible protective shell102 with touch-sensitive screen 25 being positioned in contact withinterior window panel 138 of opposing center panel 104, whereby theflexibility of the elastomeric material permits application of pressureto touch-sensitive screen 25 for inputting data and operating theelectronic device 1 in general. As disclosed herein, interior windowpanel 138 of center panel 104 is structured as a thin flexible membranein a position that corresponds to touch-sensitive screen 25 of device 1.By example and without limitation, window area of flexible center panel104 is expected to be about 0.05 to 0.06 inch thick, or anotherthickness suitable for permitting touch-sensitive screen 25 to respondto pressure exerted by the user for inputting data and operating theelectronic device 1 in general. Integral interior window panel 138 ofcenter panel 104 covers pressure-sensitive touch screen 25 of electronicdevice 1 to protect it from scratching, denting, and other externalabrasions. Side skirt 106 and portions of protective shell 102surrounding interior window panel 138 of center panel 104 may be thickerfor providing protection from bumps and scrapes.

Male plug 116 of adapter 114 is inserted into female input/output socket27 of electronic device 1.

FIG. 13 illustrates portable electronic device 1 being received withinflexible protective shell 102 of protective cover 100 withtouch-sensitive screen 25 being positioned in contact with interiorwindow panel 138. Protective cover 100 with portable electronic device 1therein is subsequently inserted into docking cradle 5 withtouch-sensitive screen 25 facing outwardly away therefrom. Dockingconnector 3 of docking cradle 5 is joined to contactor 120 of electricaladapter 114 with one or more of plurality of biasing electrical contacts11 of docking connector 3 being electrically coupled with electricalcontacts 122 of adapter contactor 120. Accordingly, portable electronicdevice 1 is accessed by docking cradle 5 without being first removedfrom protective cover or ‘skin’ 100 as required with prior artprotective covers. When present, compression of clamp 19 aids inmaintaining electrical coupling between electrical contacts 122 ofadapter contactor 120 and biasing electrical contacts 11 of dockingconnector 3.

FIG. 14 is a close-up section view of protective cover 100 asillustrated in FIG. 12, wherein protective shell 102 is formed withinterior window panel 138. FIG. 14 illustrates male plug 116 ofelectrical adapter 114 being interfaced with plurality of electricalcontacts 29 of female input/output socket 27 of the portable electronicdevice 1.

FIG. 15 illustrates protective cover 100 being formed with interiortransparent window panel 138 in a position for being juxtaposed withtouch-sensitive screen 25 of portable electronic device 1. However,mouth opening 112 through side skirt 106 is positioned adjacent to oneside 144 of unitary protective shell 102 between interior window panel138 in center panel 104 and an opposing panel 146 of protective shell102. Here, mouth opening 112 is formed by continuous integral lip 110that extends inward of side skirt 106 at side 144 of protective shell102.

When mouth opening 112 is formed through side skirt 106 adjacent to oneside 144 of protective shell 102, electrical adapter 114 is positionedin side skirt 106 at a second side 148 opposite from side 144. Withmouth opening 112 and electrical adapter 114 thus located at oppositesides 144 and 148, respectively, of protective shell 102, male plug 116of electrical adapter 114 is extended into cavity 108 of shell 102 in aposition to be received into and mechanically and electrically matedwith the female input/output socket 27 of device 1 when portableelectronic device 1 is received within cavity 108 through side mouthopening 112. Accordingly, in practice portable electronic device 1 isinserted (arrow 150) into protective shell 102 through side mouthopening 112 and into interior cavity 108 until the female input/outputsocket 27 is mechanically mated with male plug 116 of electrical adapter114, whereupon female input/output socket 27 is simultaneouslyelectrically mated with electrical adapter 114. Portable electronicdevice 1 is removed from protective shell 102 in reverse order along theinsertion direction (arrow 150).

FIG. 16 is a block diagram that illustrates adapter 114 being furtherconfigured as a pass-through adapter having electrical couplings betweensequentially ordered pairs of the plurality of electrical connectors 118of male plug 116 and corresponding electrical contacts 122 of contactor120. Here, wires or other electrical conductors 126 embedded in body 128of adapter 114 communicate in direct sequential relationship betweenelectrical connectors 118 of male plug 116 and corresponding electricalcontacts 122 of contactor 120. When adapter 114 is configured as apass-through adapter, and portable electronic device 1 (shown inphantom) is received into protective cover 100 and the two received intodocking cradle 5 (shown in phantom), as shown, input/output signals on aplurality of electrical contacts 29 of female socket 27 of the portableelectronic device 1 are presented to electrical contacts 11 of dockingconnector 3 in the same order as presented on electrical contacts 29 offemale input/output socket 27 of portable electronic device 1.Accordingly, electrical contacts 11 of docking connector 3 must beordered correspondingly to electrical contacts 29 of input/output socket27 of electronic device 1. Any desired reordering of input/outputsignals on electrical contacts 29 of female socket 27 of the electronicdevice 1 must occur in docking connector 3 of docking cradle 5, orelsewhere downstream of docking connector 3.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram that illustrates an alternative embodimentwherein adapter 114 is instead further configured as a convertingadapter having electrical couplings between non-sequentially orderedpairs of the plurality of electrical connectors 118 of male plug 116 andcorresponding electrical contacts 122 of contactor 120. Here, wires,traces or other electrical conductors 126 embedded in body 128 ofadapter 114 communicate in non-sequential relationship betweenelectrical connectors 118 of male plug 116 and electrical contacts 122of contactor 120. When adapter 114 is configured as a convertingadapter, and portable electronic device 1 (shown in phantom) is receivedinto protective cover 100 and the two received into docking cradle 5(shown in phantom), as shown, input/output signals on the plurality ofelectrical contacts 29 of female socket 27 of the portable electronicdevice 1 are presented to electrical contacts 11 of docking connector 3in any desired order, in contrast to only the order presented onelectrical contacts 29 of female input/output socket 27 of portableelectronic device 1 as in the pass-through configuration of adapter 114shown in FIG. 14. Electrical contacts 11 of docking connector 3 are thusordered correspondingly to a predetermined input/output sequence onleads 13 in electrical cable 15 of docking cradle 5. Accordingly,input/output signals on electrical contacts 29 of female socket 27 ofthe electronic device 1 are reordered in any desired sequence to matchdocking connector 3, whereby downstream reordering of input/outputsignals on electrical contacts 29 of female socket 27 of the electronicdevice 1 in docking connector 3 is not required to match the specificelectronic device 1 received in docking cradle 5. Instead, dockingconnector 3 operates as a universal docking connector for cooperatingwith any device 1 inserted into clocking cradle 5 when convertingadapter 114 is matched to the portable electronic device 1. Accordingly,docking cradle 5 can be provided with a single generic or universalclocking connector 3 and still be utilized with a variety of differentones of the portable electronic device 1 by simply coordinating theorder of coupling relationships between electrical connectors 118 ofmale plug 116 and electrical contacts 122 of contactor 120 withinelectrical adapter 114 by routing of wires, electrical traces or otherelectrical conductors 126 embedded in a body 128 of adapter 114.

FIG. 18 illustrates converting adapter 114 configured as having maleplug 116 and contactor 120 separated into two individual adapter plugbody 128 a and contactor body 128 b which are located in different areasof protective shell 102. Individual adapter plug body 128 a of male plug116 and contactor body 128 b of contactor 120 are fixedly positioned inside skirt 106 of protective shell 102. Here for example, individualadapter plug and contactor bodies 128 a, 128 b are optionally embeddedand overmolded in protective shell 102. By example and withoutlimitation, male plug 116 is optionally embedded in skirt 106 adjacentto one side 102 a of protective shell 102, while contactor 120 isoptionally embedded in skirt 106 in a position spaced apart from maleplug 116. For example, contactor 120 is optionally embedded in skirt 106spaced apart from male plug 116 and adjacent to one side 102 b ofprotective shell 102.

Optionally, contactor body 128 b of adapter contactor 120 is recessed inouter surface 124 of unitary protective shell 102. By example andwithout limitation, optional dam 132 is formed in outer surface 124 ofunitary protective shell 102, and adapter contactor 120 is furtherrecessed within dam 132. Electrical contacts 122 of contactor 120 areprotected from damage by being recessed within dam 132 or otherwisewithin outer surface 124 of unitary protective shell 102.

FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 illustrate individual adapter plug body 128 a ofmale plug 116 and contactor body 128 b of contactor 120 areinterconnected in protective shell 102 by extended wires, traces orother electrical conductors 126. For example, plurality of electricalconductors 126 are formed as elongated electrical cables, wires or otherelectrical conductors (three shown) that are extended for electricallyinterconnecting plurality of electrical connectors 118 of male adapterplug 116 with corresponding plurality of electrical contacts 122 ofadapter contactor 120. Electrical conductors 126 are fixedly positionedin protective shell 102. For example, electrical conductors 126 areoptionally embedded and overmolded in side skirt 106 of protective shell102. Alternatively, electrical conductors 126 are optionally adhered toa surface of protective shell 102, either an interior or an exteriorsurface.

Optionally, side 102 a and/or side 102 b of protective shell 102 areoptionally adapted to receive plurality of electrical conductors 126within skirt 106 of protective shell 102. For example, portions of side102 a and/or side 102 b of protective shell 102 are optionally thickenedto accommodate additional volume of plurality of electrical conductors126 within skirt 106.

FIG. 21 illustrates converting adapter 114 configured as separated intoa plurality of male plugs 116 (two shown) in a plurality of individualadapter plug bodies 128 a which are located in side skirt 106 adjacentto different sides 102 a in different areas of elastomer shell 102. Eachof the plurality of male plugs 116 is electrically coupled withelectrical contacts 122 of contactor 120 in single contactor body 128 bmounted on side skirt 106 of protective shell 102. Each individualadapter plug body 128 a of male plugs 116 and contactor body 128 b ofcontactor 120 are fixedly positioned in side skirt 106 of protectiveshell 102. By example and without limitation, all male plugs 116 areoptionally embedded in side skirt 106 adjacent to one or more differentsides 102 a of protective shell 102. For example, each individualadapter plug body 128 a is optionally overmolded into protective shell102. Contactor 120 is optionally embedded, for example overmolded, inside skirt 106 in a position spaced apart from one or more of male plugs116. For example, contactor 120 is optionally embedded in side skirt 106spaced apart from male plug 116 and adjacent to one side 102 b ofprotective shell 102.

As illustrated here, contactor body 128 b of adapter contactor 120 isrecessed in outer surface 124 of side skirt 106 of unitary protectiveshell 102. By example and without limitation, optional dam 132 is formedin outer surface 124 of unitary protective shell 102, and adaptercontactor 120 is further recessed within dam 132. Electrical contacts122 of contactor 120 are protected from damage by being recessed withindam 132 or otherwise within outer surface 124 of unitary protectiveshell 102.

As disclosed herein, dam 132 is a locator formed in outer surface 124that cooperates with docking cradle 5 as a positioning interface forpositively positioning unitary protective shell 102 relative to dockingconnector 3 for promoting mating therebetween.

As disclosed in each of FIG. 11 and FIG. 13, positioning interface dam132 operates as a locator on outer surface 124 of unitary protectiveshell 102 that cooperates with a socket receiver of docking cradle 5 forpositively positioning contactor 120 with docking connector 3 formechanical and electrical coupling therebetween. For example, dam 132 isprojected or extended from outer surface 124 of unitary protective shell102, with adapter contactor 120 and electrical contacts 122 thereofbeing recessed within recess of locator dam 132, as illustrated forexample in FIG. 8. As illustrated in each of FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5,docking connector 3 is recessed within a socket receiver that isrecessed within interior surface of base receiver 9 of docking cradletray 7. Socket receiver thus cooperates with locator dam 132 forpositively positioning unitary protective shell 102 relative to dockingconnector 3 in receiver 9 of docking cradle tray 7 for promoting matingtherebetween, as illustrated herein.

FIG. 22 illustrates protective shell 102 having male plug 116 ofconverting adapter 114 separate and spaced apart from adapter contactor120 thereof provided on an external surface 152 of flexible center panel104 opposite of interior cavity 108, as more clearly illustrated insubsequent figures.

FIG. 23 illustrates protective shell 102 having contactor 120 ofconverting adapter 114 provided on external surface 152 of flexiblecenter panel 104 opposite of interior cavity 108. Docking cradle 5 isalternatively configured to position docking connector 3 thereof in aposition for coupling with contactor 120 on external surface 152 offlexible center panel 104 instead of being embedded in side skirt 106.

FIG. 24 illustrates one embodiment of docking cradle 5, wherein tray 7is configured to lie substantially horizontally with base receiver 9configured having an upper operational surface 156 and a lower interfacesurface 158 spaced apart by a peripheral side wall 160. As illustratedhere, tray 7 of docking cradle 5 may be structured with a generallyround shape, but any generally square or rectangular, oval, kidney, orother regular or irregular shapes as are suitable and result in anequivalent structure.

Operational surface 156 of docking cradle tray 7 is formed with a femalenest 157 formed of a generally flat or planar peripheral surface 164forming a support rim surrounding a shallow socket receiver 166 recessedtherein. Socket receiver 166 is, for example, of a generally round shape(shown) similarly to the outline shape of the docking cradle tray 7, butmay be of a generally square or rectangular, oval, kidney or otherregular or irregular shape that optionally matches the shape of theoutline shape of tray 7. Recessed socket receiver 166 is formed with afloor 168 forming an electrical interface surface that is recessedrelative to, and may be substantially parallel with, surrounding supportrim 164. An interior peripheral transition wall 170 provides atransition between socket floor 168 and surrounding rim support surface164. According to one embodiment of the invention, peripheral transitionwall 170 is substantially perpendicular to the offset surfaces of thesocket floor 168 and surrounding socket rim 164. According to analternative embodiment of the invention, peripheral transition wall 170is optionally outwardly inclined between socket floor 168 andsurrounding socket rim 164, thereby providing an inclined transitionbetween socket floor 168 and surrounding, socket rim 164. For example,an outwardly inclined peripheral transition wall 170 forms an angle inthe range of about 30 degrees to 60 degrees from the plane of socketfloor 168. However, the angle is optionally in the much larger range ofabout 15 degrees or less to 75 degrees or more from the plane of socketfloor 168.

Docking cradle tray 7 optionally includes a mechanism for securing to anexternal mounting surface S. Accordingly, by example and withoutlimitation, the docking cradle tray 7 is pierced by one or more fastenerclearance holes 172 each sized to pass therethrough a mechanicalfastener appropriate for attaching docking cradle tray 7 to an externalmounting surface such as an intermediate mounting device, as discussedherein. Fastener clearance holes 172 optionally include coincidentalannular depressions or recesses 174, either countersinks or counterbores, for recessing the head of a threaded fastener passingtherethrough below either of both of upper operational surface 156 andrecessed socket floor 168.

Alternatively, one or more fastener is optionally integrated with tray 7of docking cradle 5. For example, the heads of two pair of threadedstuds are embedded in the molded structure of docking cradle tray 7 withtheir threaded shafts projecting out of lower interface surface 158 soas to be inserted through matching apertures in an external mountingsurface and secured with nuts. In such instance fastener clearance holes172 are filled with the fasteners' threaded shafts. Furthermore,recessed socket floor 168, and surrounding socket rim 164 as well asperipheral transition wall 170 therebetween are optionally leftcompletely unbroken, and docking cradle tray 7 thus presents asubstantially solid and unbroken surface. Other mechanisms for attachingto external mounting surface S, such as adhesives or pressure sensitiveadhesive tapes and films, are also contemplated and may be included orsubstituted without deviating from the scope and intent of the presentinvention.

Optionally, female nest 157 of docking cradle tray 7 is formed with oneor more male rotational control features 176 that are configured tomaintain a rotational orientation between unitary protective shell 102of protective cover 100 and docking cradle tray 7. By example andwithout limitation, male rotational control features 176 are configuredas shallow intrusions into recessed socket receiver 166 by straight orcurved (shown) portions of peripheral transition wall 170 betweenrecessed socket floor 168 and surrounding socket rim 164. Alternatively,peripheral transition wall 170 of socket receiver 166 is configured withany generally square or rectangular, oval, kidney, rectangular or otherregular or irregular shapes, whereby rotational control features 176 areinherent in socket receiver 166 as provided by such non-round shapes.

According to one embodiment, shell 102 of protective cover 100 isretained in tray 7 of docking cradle 5 under the weight of portableelectronic device 1 in shell 102, i.e., by force of gravity. Positioninginterface dam 132 of shell 102 cooperates with docking cradle 5 bynesting into socket receiver 166 recessed in docking cradle tray 7.

Alternatively, one or more permanent magnets 178 are provided betweenshell 102 of protective cover 100 and tray 7 of docking cradle 5 forsecuring protective cover 100 in docking cradle 5. By example andwithout limitation, one or more permanent magnets 178 are disposedwithin a magnet retention structure 180 that is adjacent to eitherrecessed floor 168 of socket receiver 166, or surrounding socket rim 164(shown). When present, each permanent magnet 178 is, by example andwithout limitation, a thin round or disk-shape. Although the disk shapeis convenient, other magnet shapes are equivalent and maybe substituted.Magnet 178 is optionally of the well-known rare-earth variety.Rare-earth magnets are very powerful in proportion to size and aretherefore useful in practice of the present invention. However, otherknown and presently unknown magnets that are sufficiently powerful forpractice of the invention are equivalent and may be substituted.

By example and without limitation, magnet retention structure 180 isembodied as a plurality of cavities that individually position eachmagnet 178 in close proximity to either recessed floor 168 of socketreceiver 166, or surrounding socket rim 164 of female nest 157.According to one embodiment of the invention, each cavity of magnetretention structure 180 minimizes the distance between magnet 178 andsocket's recessed floor 168, or surrounding socket rim 164. Attenuationof magnetic fields generated by magnets 178 is thereby minimized, andthe magnetic field generated remains sufficiently powerful to ensureretention of most handheld electronic and other small devices bymagnetic attraction to cooperating docking cradle 5.

According to one embodiment, cavities of magnet retention structure 180are sized to match magnets 178, either as a slip tit or a compressionfit such that each magnet 178 is inserted under at least light pressureand as much as a press fit.

Magnet retention cavities 180 may be provided on lower interface surface158 of tray 7 of docking cradle 5 opposite from operational surface 156.Magnets 178 in retention cavities 180 are retained in close proximity ofrecessed floor 168 of socket receiver 166, or surrounding socket rim 164of female nest 157. When docking cradle tray 7 is formed of asubstantially rigid plastic or other elastomeric material having aproperty of being resiliently responsive to slight deformations, andmagnet retention cavity 180 is optionally sized as a compression fit formagnet 178, whereby magnet 178 is retained by radial compression ofundersized cavity 180 which is resiliently deformed by magnet 178 uponinsertion. Therefore, other retention elements are avoided such asbi-adhesive tape as taught by both Tarulli in U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,807and Won in U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,116 or the bayonets in mating aperturesas taught by Rielo in U.S. Pat. No. 5,895,018 entitled, MAGNETIC SUPPORTATTACHMENT, issued Apr. 20, 1999, which is incorporated herein byreference.

As disclosed herein, docking connector 3 includes plurality of biasingelectrical contacts 11 configured, for example, as spring-loaded pogopins that are electrically coupled to electrical leads 13 in wire orcable 15. Typically, docking connector 3 includes a minimum number of atleast two biasing electrical contacts 11, but is not limited to havinggreater numbers of contacts 11.

FIG. 25 illustrates unitary protective shell 102 of protective cover 100formed with locator dam 132 of shell 102 as a complementary male nestingappendage 159 configured to seat in female nest 157. For example,locator dam 132 of complementary male nesting feature 159 is configuredfor mating with recessed socket receiver 166 of horizontal base receiver9 in tray 7 of docking cradle 5 as illustrated in FIG. 24. Complementarylocator dam 132 is projected or extended from external surface 152 offlexible center panel 104 opposite of interior cavity 108 where portableelectronic device 1 is seated. Complementary locator dam 132 isconfigured with a generally round shape when recessed socket receiver166 is so configured. Alternatively, locator dam 132 is configured withany generally square or rectangular, oval, kidney, rectangular or otherregular or irregular shape when recessed socket receiver 166 of femalenest 157 in operational surface 156 of docking cradle tray 7 is soconfigured. Thus, complementary locator dam 132 is a shallow projectionformed with a substantially planar contactor surface 182 offset fromexternal surface 152 of flexible center panel 104 to distance about thedepth of recessed floor 168 in socket receiver 166 of docking cradletray 7. Thus, external surface 152 of flexible center panel 104 ofprotective shell 102 forms a lower rim of male nesting appendage 159that engages peripheral support rim 164 of docking cradle tray 7 whencomplementary locator dam 132 nests in recessed socket receiver 166.

When peripheral transition wall 170 of female socket receiver 166 isinclined between socket floor 168 and surrounding socket rim 164,complementary male locator dam 132 optionally includes a exteriorperipheral transition wall 184 extended between contactor surface 182and external surface 152 of flexible center panel 104 and formed with asubstantially matching incline. Accordingly, inclined complementary malelocator dam 132 nests in incline of recessed socket receiver 166 offemale nest 157.

When socket receiver 166 of female nest 157 is configured with one ormore male rotational control features 176, complementary male locatordam 132 is configured with one or more matching rotational controlfeatures 186. For example, when rotational control features 176 offemale socket receiver 166 are configured as male peripheral protrusionsof transition wall 170 into interior of socket 166 between recessedsocket floor 168 and surrounding socket rim 164, rotational controlfeatures 186 are configured as matching female indents or intrusionsinto periphery of complementary locator dam 132 that are positioned andsized to mate with male rotational control features 176 in sockettransition wall 170.

Alternatively, matching male and female rotational control features 176and 186 are optionally reversed between female socket receiver 166 andcomplementary locator dam 132 such that female rotational controlfeatures 176 are presented in complementary locator dam 132 of shell 102as male peripheral protrusions of transition wall 184, and matchingfemale rotational control features 186 are presented as complementaryfemale indents or intrusions into periphery of transition wall 170 intorim 164 surrounding female socket receiver 166.

Thus, as disclosed here, male positioning interface 132 includes acombination of both offset projection contactor surface 182 withrecessed female rotational control features 186 formed in its peripheryand which are, for example, coplanar with surrounding peripheral rimformed by external surface 152 of flexible center panel which contactsrim 164 surrounding socket receiver 166 when seated in female nest 157of docking cradle tray 7. Recessed female rotational control features186 of male positioning interface 132 engage male rotational controlfeatures 176 of docking cradle tray 7 in female nest 157, whereby shell102 is rotationally oriented relative to base receiver 9 of tray 7.Accordingly, complementary locator clamp 132 on external surface 152 ofprotective shell 102 nests with female socket receiver 166 in basereceiver 9 of docking cradle tray 7, while mating male and femalerotational control features 176, 186 control rotation of protectiveshell 102 relative to base receiver 9 of tray 7.

When tray 7 of docking cradle 5 includes optional magnets 178 adjacentto recessed floor 168 or surrounding rim 164 of socket receiver 166, asshown in FIG. 24, center panel 104 of protective shell 102 is providedwith a magnetically permeable member 188 embodied as a thin sheet orplate of a ferrous or other highly magnetically permeable ferromagneticmaterial, such as iron, nickel, cobalt or another ferromagnetic materialor alloy. For example, magnetically permeable member 188 is embedded incenter panel 104 of protective shell 102 in a complementary position forattraction by magnets 178. Magnets 178 and magnetically attractivemember 188 thus form a magnetic attraction couple operable between shell102 of protective cover 100 and tray 7 of docking cradle 5 for securingprotective cover 100 in docking cradle 5.

Contactor 120 of converting adapter 114 provided on external surface 152of flexible center panel 104 is suitably configured to electricallycouple with plurality of biasing electrical contacts 11 configured asspring-loaded pogo pins in recessed socket receiver 166 of horizontaltray 7. For example, plurality of electrical contacts 122 of contactor120 are configured as a plurality of concentric contact rings of anelectrically conductive material, such as copper, silver, gold,platinum, or another electrically conductive material. Contact rings 122of contactor 120 are coupled to electrical conductors 126 forelectrically interconnecting with plurality of electrical connectors 118of male adapter plug 116, in either sequentially or non-sequentiallyordered pairs, as disclosed herein. Contact rings 122 of contactor 120are positioned to mate with different pogo pin contacts 11 in recessedsocket receiver 166 of base receiver 9 in docking cradle tray 7.

When electrical contacts 122 of contactor 120 are configured as theplurality of concentric contact rings, cooperating male and femalerotational control features 176 and 186 are optionally eliminatedbecause contact rings 122 normally mate with different pogo pin contacts11 in any orientation of shell 102 relative to docking cradle tray 7regardless of rotation arrows 190) of positioning interface dam 132 infemale socket receiver 166. However, cooperating male and femalerotational control features 176 and 186 may be present for providingrelative rotational relationship between protective cover 100 anddocking cradle 3, if desired.

FIG. 26 is a cross-section view that illustrates elastomeric shell 102of protective cover, or skin, 100 seated in tray 7 of docking cradle 3.As illustrated, complementary male nesting appendage 159 of protectivecover 100 is nested with female nest 157 of docking cradle 5, wherebyshell 102 is retained in docking cradle tray 7. For example, shell 102is secured by the weight of portable electronic device 1 in shell 102,i.e., by force of gravity, as disclosed herein. Shell 102 cooperateswith docking cradle 5 by nesting positioning interface dam 132 intosocket receiver 166 recessed in clocking cradle tray 7. For example,positioning interface dam 132 is rotated (FIG. 25, arrows 190) untiloptional female rotational control features 186, if present, mate withmatching male rotational control features 176, if present, of tray 7 ofdocking cradle 5. Thereafter, peripheral transition wall 184 ofcooperates with matching transition wall 170 to position locator dam 132in socket receiver 166 as shell 102 approaches clocking cradle tray 7.When positioning interface dam 132 of complementary male nesting feature159 is fully nested in socket receiver 166 of female nest 157, externalsurface 152 of flexible center panel 104 contacts peripheral support rim164 of female socket receiver 166, and contactor surface 182 ofelastomer shell 102 is juxtaposed with recessed socket floor 168.Engagement of cooperating peripheral transition walls 184 and 170 ofprojected positioning interface dam 132 and recessed socket receiver 166operate to guide electrical contacts 122 of contactor 120 intoengagement with biasing electrical contacts 11 of base receiver 9 ofdocking cradle 3.

According to one embodiment, electrical contacts 122 of contactor 120engage biasing electrical contacts 11 of base receiver 9 of dockingcradle 3 under the weight of shell 102 with electronic device 1 therein,i.e., by force of gravity, as disclosed herein.

Alternatively, when optional magnets 178 are present, magneticattraction between magnets 178 and magnetically permeable member 188operates to secure shell 102 of protective cover 100 in nestedengagement with tray 7 of docking cradle 5 and engage electricalcontacts 122 of contactor 120 with biasing electrical contacts 11 ofbase receiver 9 of docking cradle 5.

When protective cover, or skin, 100 is retained in tray 7 of dockingcradle 3 under force of gravity, simply lifting, shell 102 will releaseprotective cover 100 for removal from cradle 3.

Alternatively, when optional magnets 178 are present, magneticattraction between magnets 178 and magnetically permeable member 188operates to secure shell 102 of protective cover 100 in nestedengagement with tray 7 of docking cradle 5. However, simply rotatingshell 102 (FIG. 25, arrows 190) causes positioning interface dam 132 tobe rotated until female rotational control features 186 interfere withmatching male rotational control features 176 of tray 7 of dockingcradle 5. Such interference causes shell 102 to separate from basereceiver 9 and attenuate the magnetic attraction, whereby protectivecover 100 is released for removal from cradle 3.

FIG. 27, FIG. 28 and FIG. 29 together illustrate an alternativeembodiment of cover or skin 100 and docking cradle 5. As disclosedherein, the relative locations of magnets 178 and magnetically permeablemember 188 are inverted. For example, one or more magnets 178 aredisposed within a magnet retention structure 180 adjacent to externalsurface 152 of flexible center panel 104 instead of being in raised rim164 surrounding socket receiver 166 of female nest 157 in docking cradletray 7. As illustrated by example and without limitation, one or moremagnetically permeable members 188 each embodied as a thin sheet orplate of a ferrous or other highly magnetically permeable ferromagneticmaterial, such as iron, nickel, cobalt or another ferromagnetic materialor alloy, as disclosed herein, are embedded in either recessed floor 168of female socket receiver 166, or surrounding socket rim 164 (shown).

Additionally, one or more permanent magnets 178 mounted in complementarymale nesting appendage 159 of protective cover 100. For example, magnets178 are embedded in center panel 104 of protective shell 102 forcooperating with magnetically permeable members 188 for magneticallysecuring protective cover 100 in docking cradle 5.

FIG. 30, FIG. 31 and FIG. 32 illustrate an alternative embodiment ofcooperating device cover 100 and docking cradle 5, wherein thepositioning interface feature provided between contactor 120 ofconverting adapter 114 and docking connector 3 formed by male nestingappendage 159 and mating female nest 157 of docking cradle tray 7 isinverted. The inverted embodiment of the positioning interface featureof female nest 157 of and complementary male nesting feature 159 isformed by locator dam 132 being configured as the female receiver whichis provided on external surface 152 of center panel 104 of shell 102,while base receiver 9 of docking cradle tray 7 is configured as thecooperating male locator.

FIG. 30 illustrates female nest 157 being provided on protective shell102 by locator dam 132 which is configured here with shallow socketreceiver 166 from docking cradle tray 7. Socket receiver 166 of locatordam 132 is surrounded by generally flat or planar peripheral surface 164forming a support rim thereabout that is projected from external surface152 of flexible center panel 104 opposite of interior cavity 108 ofshell 102. Socket receiver 166 of dam 132 includes interior peripheraltransition wall 170 that provides transition between socket floor 168and surrounding rim support surface 164. Transition wall 170 is formedwith rotational control features 176 that are configured to positivelyrotationally orient elastomer shell 102 of protective cover 100 relativeto docking cradle tray 7, as disclosed herein.

Thus, as disclosed here, male positioning interface 132 includes acombination of both contactor surface recessed in floor 168 of socketreceiver 166 with projected rotational control features 176 formed inits periphery and which are, for example, coplanar with surroundingperipheral contact rim 164 surrounding socket floor 168. Contact rim 164engages operational surface 156 of docking cradle tray 7 when femalenest 157 is seated over complementary male nesting appendage 159 ofdocking cradle tray 7. Projected rotational control features 176 offemale positioning interface 132 engage recessed rotational controlfeatures 186 of docking cradle tray 7 in male nesting appendage 159,whereby shell 102 is rotationally oriented relative to base receiver 9of tray 7.

Optionally, shell 102 of protective cover 100 is retained in tray 7 ofdocking cradle 5 under weight, i.e., by force of gravity, as disclosedherein. Alternatively, optional magnets 178 and magnetically permeablemember 188, when present, may be provided in either of docking cradletray 7 or protective shell 102, as disclosed herein. As illustrated hereby example and without limitation, magnets 178 are provided in magnetretention structure 180 that is adjacent to either recessed floor 168 ofsocket receiver 166, or surrounding socket rim 164 (shown).

Contactor 120 of converting adapter 114 may be configured as a pluralityof concentric contact rings 122 of an electrically conductive material,as disclosed herein. Contactor 120 is positioned on floor 168 of socketreceiver 166.

FIG. 31 illustrates tray 7 of docking cradle 5 being configured to liesubstantially horizontally with base receiver 9 configured having itsupper operational surface 156 formed of a generally flat plane.Operational surface 156 of tray 7 is configured with complementary malenesting appendage 159 from protective cover 100.

Substantially planar contactor surface 182 is offset or projected fromupper operational surface 156 of docking cradle tray 7 and is configuredwith any generally round, square or rectangular, oval, kidney,rectangular or other regular or irregular shape and sized to fit snuglywithin recessed socket receiver 166 of female locator dam 132 of nest157 on protective shell 102. Thus, upper operational surface 156 ofdocking cradle tray 7 engages peripheral support rim 164 of locator dam132 in protective shell 102 when projected contactor surface 182 ofcomplementary male nesting appendage 159 nests in recessed socketreceiver 166 in female locator dam 132 of nest 157.

Thus, as disclosed here, complementary male nesting appendage 159 ofdocking cradle tray 7 includes a combination of both contactor surface182 projected from upper operational surface 156 of base receiver 9 withfemale rotational control features 186 recessed in its periphery andwhich are, for example, coplanar with surrounding peripheral contact rimformed as operational surface 156. Operational surface 156 engagescontact rim 164 of peripheral surface 164 forming a support rimsurrounding socket receiver 166 of locator dam 132 that is projectedfrom external surface 152 of flexible center panel 104 of shell 102(shown in FIG. 30) when female nest 157 is seated over complementarymale nesting appendage 159 of docking cradle tray 7. Projected malerotational control features 176 of female positioning interface 132engage recessed female rotational control features 186 of docking cradletray 7 in male nesting appendage 159, whereby shell 102 is rotationallyoriented relative to base receiver 9 of tray 7.

As disclosed herein, docking connector 3 includes plurality of biasingelectrical contacts 11 configured, for example, as spring-loaded pogopins that are electrically coupled to electrical leads 13 in wire orcable 15.

Docking cradle tray 7 is optionally pierced by fastener clearance holes172 for attaching docking cradle tray 7 to an external mounting surface,as discussed herein. Fastener clearance holes 172 optionally includecoincidental annular depressions or recesses 174, either countersinks orcounter bores, as discussed herein, for recessing the head of a threadedfastener passing therethrough below projected contactor surface 182 ofcomplementary male nesting appendage 159. As further disclosed herein,other mechanisms for attaching to external mounting surface S, such asadhesives or pressure sensitive adhesive tapes and films, are alsocontemplated and may be included or substituted without deviating fromthe scope and intent of the present invention.

Exterior peripheral transition wall 184 of complementary projected malenesting appendage 159 is optionally inclined for cooperatively nestingin incline of recessed socket receiver 166 for positively positioningunitary protective shell 102 relative to docking connector 3 in receiver9 of docking cradle tray 7.

When locator dam 132 of protective shell 102 is formed with malerotational control features 176, tray 7 of docking cradle 5 may beformed with matching female rotational control features 186 that matewith male rotational control features 176 and cooperate for controllingrotational orientation between protective shell 102 and docking cradletray 7.

Alternatively, matching male and female rotational control features 176and 186 are optionally reversed between female socket receiver 166 oflocator dam 132, forming female nest 157 on protective shell 102, andcomplementary male nesting appendage 159 of docking cradle tray 7 suchthat rotational control features 186 are presented as female indents orintrusions into periphery of transition wall 170 into rim 164surrounding female socket receiver 166 of locator dam 132, and matchingrotational control features 176 are presented as complementary maleperipheral protrusions of transition wall 184.

FIG. 32 is a cross-section view, wherein female nest 157 is provided onprotective shell 102 by locator dam 132, and complementary male nestingappendage 159 is provided on tray 7 of docking cradle 5 by base receiver9. Accordingly, positioning interface between shell 102 of protectivecover 100 and tray 7 of docking cradle 5 is provided by female nest 157on protective shell 102 being received onto complementary male nestingappendage 159 of base receiver 9.

When protective cover 100 is secured by the weight of the portableelectronic device 1 in shell 102, i.e., by force of gravity, asdisclosed herein, tray 7 of docking cradle 5 is expected to be presentedwith complementary male nesting appendage 159 of base receiver 9oriented generally upright for receiving female nest 157 of protectiveshell 102 thereonto. Alternatively, one or more permanent magnets 178and magnetically permeable members 188 are disposed in complementarylocations for magnetic attraction between shell 102 of protective cover100 and tray 7 of docking cradle 5. For example, when optional magnets178 and magnetically permeable member 188 are present, as illustratedhere, rotation of docking cradle tray 7 is possible with electronicdevice 1 in protective cover 100 being releasably magnetically mountedthereon. Depending upon the strength of magnetic attraction as afunction of selected magnets 178 and magnetically permeable member 188,tray 7 of docking cradle 5 can be tilted or rotated to a greaterextreme, even to inverted with docking cradle tray 7 being upside-down,with electronic device 1 secured therein by magnetic attraction betweenprotective cover 100 and docking cradle tray 7 sufficiently thatelectrical contacts 122 of shell contactor 120 remain mechanically andelectrically coupled to electrical contacts 11 of docking connector 3sufficiently for operation of electronic device 1.

As illustrated by example and without limitation, one or moremagnetically permeable members 188 each embodied as a thin sheet orplate of a ferrous or other highly magnetically permeable ferromagneticmaterial, such as iron, nickel, cobalt or another ferromagnetic materialor alloy, as disclosed herein, are embedded in either recessed floor 168of female socket receiver 166, or surrounding socket rim 164 (shown) oflocator dam 132 on protective shell 102. Additionally, one or morepermanent magnets 178 mounted in complementary male nesting appendage159 of protective cover 100. For example, magnets 178 are embedded incenter panel 104 of protective shell 102 for cooperating withmagnetically permeable members 188 for magnetically securing protectivecover 100 in docking cradle 5.

Alternatively, relative locations of magnets 178 and magneticallypermeable member 188 optionally inverted, as disclosed herein, whereinone or more magnets 178 are disposed within a magnet retention structure180 in female nest 157 of locator dam 132 on protective shell 02, andone or more magnetically permeable members 188 are disposed in acomplementary location in operational surface 156 of tray 7 adjacent tomale nesting appendage 159 of base receiver 9.

As disclosed herein, interior transition wall 170 of socket receiver 166cooperates with exterior peripheral transition wall 184 of complementaryprojected male nesting appendage 159 for positively positioning unitaryprotective shell 102 relative to docking connector 3 in receiver 9 ofdocking cradle tray 7.

Furthermore, when locator dam 132 of protective shell 102 is formed withrotational control features 176, tray 7 of docking cradle 5 may beformed with complementary rotational control features 186 that mate withrotational control features 176 and cooperate therewith for controllingrotational orientation between protective shell 102 and docking cradletray 7.

FIG. 33 illustrates protective cover 100, wherein complementary malenesting appendage 159 is configured as positioning interface dam 132 inside skirt 106 of protective shell 102, as similarly shown in FIG. 6,for being received into female nest 157 of base receiver 9, as similarlyshown in FIG. 11. In contrast, here positioning interface dam 132, whichincludes contactor 120 and its contacts 122, is spaced away from maleplug 116 which is extended into cavity 108 of shell 102 at a position ina different side skirt 106 of protective shell 102 away from contactor120 and its contacts 122, as disclosed herein.

Positioning interface dam 132 of male nesting appendage 159 isoptionally formed with magnet retention structures 180 adjacent toeither side of contactor 120 of converting adapter 114, whereby magnets178 are mounted adjacent to contactor 120. Accordingly, protective cover100 is configured to cooperate with tray 7 of docking cradle 5 havingone or more magnetically permeable members 188, such that magneticattraction of protective shell 102 to tray 7 operates to secureprotective cover 100 in clocking cradle 5 when male nesting appendage159 is seated in complementary female nest 157, as disclosed herein.

FIG. 34 illustrates protective cover 100 having electronic device 1installed therein. Protective cover 100 here is similar to theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 33, except here positioning interface dam132 of male nesting appendage 159 instead includes magneticallypermeable member 188 embodied as one or more thin sheets or plates of aferrous or other highly magnetically permeable ferromagnetic material,such as iron, nickel, cobalt or another ferromagnetic material or alloy.For example, magnetically permeable member 188 is embedded in locatordam 132 on outer surface 124 of protective shell 102 in a complementaryposition for cooperating with one or more magnets 178 positioned in basereceiver 9 of docking cradle tray 7. Thus, when male nesting appendage159 is seated in complementary female nest 157, magnets 178 andmagnetically permeable members 188 cooperate for securing protectivecover 100 with electronic device 1 in docking cradle 5, as disclosedherein.

FIG. 35 is a cross-section taken through protective cover 100 of FIG.33, wherein male plug 116 and contactor 120 of electrical adapter 114are spaced apart in different areas of side skirt 106 of protectiveshell 102. As illustrated here, electrical contacts 122 of contactor 120embedded in body 128 of adapter 114 are electrically coupled to one ormore of electrical connectors 118 of plug 116 via electrical cables,wires, traces or other electrical conductors 126 (one shown forclarity). Portable electronic device 1 is received within cavity 108 ofelastomer shell 102 with female input/output socket 27 engaged with maleplug 116 of adapter 114 in skirt 106 adjacent to one side 102 a ofprotective shell 102.

Positioning interface dam 132 is formed in outer surface 124 of unitaryprotective shell 102, and adapter contactor 120 is further recessedwithin locator dam 132 to form complementary male nesting appendage 159for seating in female nest 157. Here, locator dam 132 includes magnets178 disposed within magnet retention structure 180 for magneticattraction of magnetically permeable members 188 in base receiver 9 ofdocking cradle tray 7.

Alternatively, magnets 178 are in base receiver 9 of docking cradle tray7, and cooperating magnetically permeable members 188 are flankingelectrical contacts 122 of contactor 120 in locator dam 132 exterior ofprotective shell 102.

FIG. 36 is a cross-section taken through protective cover 100 of FIG. 34wherein male plug 116 and contactor 120 of electrical adapter 114 arespaced apart in different areas of side skirt 106 of protective shell102. As illustrated here, electrical contacts 122 of contactor 120embedded in body 128 of adapter 114 are electrically coupled to one ormore of electrical connectors 118 of plug 116 via electrical cables,wires, traces or other electrical conductors 126 (one shown forclarity). Portable electronic device 1 is received within cavity 108 ofelastomer shell 102 with female input/output socket 27 engaged with maleplug 116 of adapter 114 in skirt 106 adjacent to one side 102 a ofprotective shell 102.

Positioning interface dam 132 is formed in outer surface 124 of unitaryprotective shell 102, and adapter contactor 120 is further recessedwithin locator dam 132 to form complementary male nesting appendage 159for seating in female nest 157. Here, locator dam 132 alternativelyincludes magnetically permeable ferromagnetic member 188, as disclosedherein. For example, ferromagnetic member 188 is embedded in locator dam132 in side skirt 106 of protective shell 102 in a complementaryposition for attraction by magnets 178 in base receiver 9 of dockingcradle tray 7, as disclosed herein.

FIG. 37 illustrates female nest 157 of base receiver 9 in docking cradle5, including one or more ferromagnetic members 188. For example,ferromagnetic members 188 are exposed in positions flanking biasingelectrical contacts 11 of docking connector 3. Accordingly, whenpositioning interface dam 132 of protective cover 100 in side skirt 106of shell 102 is optionally provided with magnets 178 mounted adjacent toeither side of contactor 120, as illustrated for example in FIG. 33,ferromagnetic members 188 are positioned to cooperate with magnets 178such that magnetic attraction of protective shell 102 to tray 7 operatesto secure protective cover 100 in docking cradle 5 when male nestingappendage 159 is seated in complementary female nest 157, as disclosedherein. Docking connector 3 may also include optional guide pins 17, asdisclosed herein, that are adapted for mating with optional mating guidepin receivers 130 if present in contactor 120 of electrical adapter 114.

FIG. 38 illustrates female nest 157 of alternative base receiver 9,wherein one or more magnets 178 are substituted for ferromagneticmembers 188 shown in FIG. 37. For example, magnets 178 are positionedflanking biasing electrical contacts 11 of docking connector 3.Accordingly, when positioning interface dam 132 of protective cover 100in side skirt 106 of shell 102 is optionally provided with ferromagneticmembers 188 mounted adjacent to either side of contactor 120, asillustrated for example in FIG. 34, magnets 178 are positioned tocooperate with ferromagnetic members 188 such that magnetic attractionof protective shell 102 to tray 7 operates to secure protective cover100 in docking cradle 5 when male nesting appendage 159 is seated incomplementary female nest 157, as disclosed herein. Docking connector 3may also include optional guide pins 17, as disclosed herein, that areadapted for mating with optional mating guide pin receivers 130 ifpresent in contactor 120 of electrical adapter 114.

FIG. 39 illustrates another arrangement of electrical contacts 122 forthe cover 100. In this arrangement, there are ten electrical contacts122 arranged in two rows. In the illustrated embodiment, the rows arestaggered, but it will be recognized that the rows can be aligned witheach other, instead of staggered. The docking cradle 5 can have the samenumber and arrangement of electrical contacts 11, although in someembodiments, the docking cradle may have fewer or more contacts than thecover 100.

In at least some embodiments, different covers 100 can be provided fordifferent types of portable electronic devices 1, but the arrangement ofelectrical contacts 122 is the same so that a variety of differentportable electronic devices 1 (including devices from differentmanufacturers) can be coupled to the same docking cradle 5 using anappropriate cover 100. It will be understood that the internalarrangement of electrical conductors 126 (which connect the electricalcontacts 122 of the adapter 114 to the electrical connectors 118 of themale plug 116) of the different covers 100 may be different depending onthe type of portable electronic device 1 that fits in the cover 100.Moreover, in at least some embodiments, one or more of the electricalcontacts 122 may not be coupled to a corresponding electrical contact118 of the adapter 114, particularly if there is not a correspondingcontact in the portable electrical device 1 for which the cover 100 isdesigned.

FIG. 41 illustrates an arrangement of twelve electrical contacts 122 intwo staggered rows. It will be understood that the cover 100 can includeany number of electrical contacts 122 including, but not limited to,two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, twelve, fourteen,sixteen, eighteen, twenty, or more electrical contracts. The electricalcontacts 122 can be arranged in any regular or irregular pattern. Forexample, three electrical contacts can be arranged in a straight line,an equilateral triangle, an isosceles triangle, a right triangle, or anyother suitable arrangement. As another example, the electrical contacts122 can be arranged in a single line or in two or more rows (e.g., two,three, four, or more rows) which may be aligned or staggered relative toeach other and which may have the same or different numbers of contactsin each row. As yet another example, some or all of the electricalcontacts 122 can be arranged at vertices of a regular or irregularpolygon. For example, five electrical contacts 122 can be arranged atvertices of a pentagon, six electrical contacts 122 can be arranged atvertices of a hexagon, or eight electrical contacts can be arranged atvertices of an octagon.

FIGS. 39 and 41 also illustrate a dam 132 which has an asymmetric shapethat can facilitate correctly coupling the cover 100 to the dockingcradle 5. The dam 132 defines an asymmetric positioning interface. Inthis case, the dam 132 has a first edge 191 that is straight and asecond edge 192, opposite the first edge, that is curved. The femalenest 157 of the docking cradle 5 can be shaped similarly to the dam 132so that the dam of the cover 100 only fits easily into the female nestof the docking cradle in one orientation. This asymmetric positioninginterface of the cover facilitates correct coupling of the cover withthe docking cradle 5 so that the electrical contacts 122 correctly andreliably mate with corresponding contacts on the docking cradle.

FIG. 40 illustrates a portion of the adapter 114 and includes the maleplug 116, electrical contacts 122, magnets 178 (or ferromagnetic members188), and body 128. The adapter 114 is positioned within the cover 100with the side skirt 116 and dam 132 formed around portions of theadapter. In at least some embodiments, a portion of the shell 102 or dam132 also covers a face 193 of the body 128 and the magnets 178 leaving aportion of the electrical contacts 122 exposed, as illustrated in FIGS.39 and 41.

A cover for a portable electronic device can also include an additionalpocket for a peripheral device. FIGS. 42-46 illustrate an embodiment ofa cover 100 that can receive a portable electronic device 1 and aperipheral device 50. Examples of peripheral devices include, but arenot limited to, a printer, a scanner, a card reader, a magnetic stripreader, a RFID reader, a NFC reader, a speaker, a battery, a camera, alight, a keyboard, a human interface device (e.g., a mouse, trackball,or the like), a medical device (e.g., a thermometer, glucose sensor,blood pressure monitor, imager, or any other suitable medical device),or any other suitable peripheral device. Other examples of peripheraldevices can include illumination devices that can provide LED lights,black lights, infrared lights, lasers, or any other lighting devices, orany combination thereof, and can be used to provide generalillumination, night vision, video or photography illumination orenhancement, signaling, pointing, measuring, scanning, alignment, or anyother feature or use or any combination thereof. Such illuminationdevices may be designed to be used with any device within the cover suchas, for example, a cell phone or smart phone, a terminal, a computer, atesting device, a tablet, or the like, or any combination thereof. Otherexamples of peripheral devices can be tool devices such as, for example,sensors (for detecting, for example, temperature, pressure, leveling,angles, altitude, light, density, x-rays, magnetic fields, acceleration,speed, velocity, distance, energy, current or energy flow, force,durometer, mass/weight, torque, resistance, capacitance, voltage,reactance, or the like or any combination thereof) or a fingerprintreader.

The cover 100 may be designed for a specific type of peripheral deviceor may accommodate multiple types of peripheral devices. In addition,although the illustrated embodiment permits inclusion of a singleperipheral device in the cover, it will be understood that otherembodiments can permit inclusion of multiple (e.g., two, three, four, ormore) peripheral devices in one or more peripheral pockets in the cover.

The cover 100 includes a shell 102 with a center panel 104, a side skirt106, a lip 110 mouth opening 112, and an interior cavity 108 to receivethe portable electronic device 1. In addition, the cover 100 includes aperipheral cavity 208 that forms a peripheral pocket for receiving theperipheral device 50. The peripheral cavity 208 can be formed using thecenter panel 104 and optionally part of the side skirt 106 or any otherportion of the cover 100. The peripheral cavity 208 defines a devicesurface 205 and one or more side surfaces 207. In the illustratedembodiment, the peripheral cavity 208 and interior cavity 108 arecontiguous and the peripheral device 50 can be inserted into theperipheral cavity 208 through the mouth opening 112 and interior cavity108, as illustrated in FIG. 44. The portable electronic device 1 canthen be inserted into the interior cavity 110 through the mouth opening,as illustrated in FIG. 45. In other embodiments, the cover 100 mayinclude a peripheral opening (not shown) through which the peripheralmay be inserted into the peripheral cavity 208. In such embodiments, theperipheral cavity 208 may be contiguous with the interior cavity 108 orthe peripheral cavity and interior cavity can separated by a wall of thecover 100.

In addition to the male plug 116, the cover 100 includes a peripheralplug 216, as illustrated in FIG. 43. The peripheral plug 216 fits intothe input/output socket of the peripheral device 50. The peripheral plug216 may be designed for a particular peripheral device or may besuitable for multiple different devices. For example, the peripheralplug 216 (or the male plug 116 or both) can be a USB or microUSB plugdesigned to fit into a USB or microUSB port, respectively, in theperipheral device 50.

The peripheral plug 216 includes one or more electrical connectors 218that connect to contacts within the peripheral device 50. The one ormore electrical connectors 218 are coupled to the electrical contacts122 of the adapter 114 of the cover 100 using conductors (not shown)that extend through the cover. This arrangement can be used to providepower to the peripheral device 50 via the adapter 114 and one or moreelectrical connectors 218. In at least some embodiments, the adapter 114and associated conductors can be arranged so that the peripheral device50 provides power, data, or both to the portable electronic device 1through the adapter. For example, the adapter 114 may couple anelectrical connector 218 of the peripheral plug 216 and an electricalconnector 118 of the male plug 116 to the same electrical contact 122 ofthe adapter so that the peripheral device 50 can provide power or datato the portable electronic device 1 through the adapter. It will beunderstood that there are other mechanisms for sharing data between theperipheral device 50 and the portable electronic device 1 such asBluetooth, NFC, and the like.

The cover 100 can include one or more openings 194 through the coverinto the peripheral cavity 218. These openings 194 can allow access tocomponents of the peripheral device 50 such as, for example, a jack, ascanner, a printer, a sensor, or the like. Similarly, the cover 100 caninclude one or more openings 196 into the interior cavity 118 to allowaccess to components of the portable electronic device. For example, theopenings 196 can allow access to a camera, a headphone jack, a switch, aspeaker, a microphone, or the like of the portable electronic device 1.In at least some embodiments, the placement, number, and size of theopenings 196 of the cover are specifically arranged based on the type ofportable electronic device for which the cover 100 is designed. In someembodiments, the cover 100 can include soft buttons 198 formed in thecover (for example, in the side skirt 106) at positions that cancoincide with buttons on the portable electronic device 1. The softbuttons 196 can be, for example, part of the material of the cover witha surrounding indentation to identify placement of the soft button andfacilitate actuation of the soft button. The soft buttons 196 areconfigured and arranged so that actuation of the soft button alsoactuates the underlying button of the portable electronic device 1. Suchsoft buttons 196 may coincide with power, volume, and other buttons onthe portable electronic device 1. Any of the covers described herein caninclude one or more openings 196, one or more soft buttons 198, or anycombination thereof.

Any of the covers 100 described herein can also include a tag element199 disposed within or on the cover, as illustrated in FIG. 43. The tagelement 199 can be, for example, a RFID tag or a NFC tag that can beused to identify the cover or device disposed within the cover. The tagelement 199 can be molded into the cover 100 or may be disposed on aninterior or exterior surface of the cover. In at least some embodiments,the tag element 199 can be associated with a fob 197 or other tag querydevice that a user can carry and which can be used to wirelessly querythe tag element 199 to determine if the cover 100 is within a range ofthe fob or other tag query device. The fob 197 can be activated by theuser to assist in finding the cover or associated portable electronicdevice. Alternatively or additionally, the fob 197 may include anaudible alarm, vibratory alarm, or both that can be automaticallyactivated when the fob exceeds a threshold distance from the cover 100to warn the user that the cover 100 and associated portable electronicdevice are left behind (for example, left on the docking cradle). Insome embodiments, the user may select whether the fob 197 provides anaudible alarm, a vibratory alarm, or both. In some embodiments, the usermay program the threshold distance.

FIGS. 47-49 illustrate additional embodiments of the docking cradle 5.These clocking cradles 5 include a tray 7 (not shown in FIG. 49) and abase receiver 9 upon which a portable electronic device 1 within a cover100 can be placed. The docking cradle 5 of FIG. 47 includes a clamp 19and an arm 21. The docking cradle 5 of FIG. 48 is a stand-alone cradlethat can be placed on any stable surface, such as a desk, shelf,credenza, table, or the like. The docking cradle 5 of FIG. 49 can bemounted on a wall or other surface. FIG. 48 illustrates a mobile phoneor other relatively small device as the portable electronic device 1.FIG. 49 illustrates a tablet or other relatively large device as theportable electronic device 1. Many docking cradles can accommodate bothlarge and small portable electronic devices, but other docking cradlesmay be specifically designed for a portable electronic device of aparticular size or range of sizes.

FIG. 48 illustrates a cable 15 exiting the docking cradle 5. It will beunderstood that the other illustrated docking cradles can include acable. The cable may be detachable from the docking cradle or can bemore permanently attached to the docking cradle. In some embodimentsthat incorporate a detachable cable, the docking cradle includes a port,such as a USB or microUSB port, that can receive an end of the cable.

In some embodiments, the docking cradle can include electroniccomponents for providing power, data, or other signals to the portableelectronic device from the cradle. In other embodiments, the dockingcradle is a “pass-through” device where the docking cradle is simply anintermediary between the portable electronic device and another device,such as a charger, computer, other portable electronic device, or thelike. In these embodiments, the cable exiting the docking cradle can becoupled to this other device and, at least in some instances, thedocking cradle merely transmits signals between the electronic contactsof the docking cradle and the cable.

In some embodiments, a hard (or rigid) shell can be utilized with theflexible cover or skin to provide additional protection to electronicdevice disposed within the skin. FIGS. 50A and 50B are front and backviews of a flexible cover, or skin. 100 (shaded for illustrationpurposes) and a hard (or rigid) shell 500. The electronic device will bedisposed within the flexible cover, or skin, 100 as described above. Anyof the flexible covers described above can be used for the flexiblecover, or skin, 100 with the hard shell 500 modified to fit the specificcover.

The hard shell 500 can be made of any hard or rigid plastic material,such as, for example, polycarbonate, or the like; carbon fiber; metal;leather; or the like; or any combination thereof. In at least someembodiments, the hard shell 500 includes a back panel 504 (FIG. 50B) anda skirt 506 (FIG. 50A) which, with the cover 100, forms a mouth opening112 that communicates with a cavity 108. Mouth opening 112 is sized toreceive electronic device into cavity 108. In some embodiments, the backpanel 504 may not cover the entire back portion of the cover 100. Insome embodiments, the skirt 506 may not completely surround the mouthopening 112, but may only extend around a portion (for example, no morethan 90%, 75%, 50%, 40%, or less) of the mouth opening.

In the illustrated embodiment, the hard shell 500 includes openingsthrough which portions of the flexible cover, or skin, 100 areaccessible or protrude. For example, the hard shell 500 includes anopening 514 through which a portion of the adapter 114 (such as thenesting feature 159 or the contactor 120) of the cover 100 protrudes oris accessible for connection to a docking cradle or other device. In atleast some embodiments, the hard shell 500 includes one or more buttonopenings 598 to allow access to soft buttons 198 of the cover 100 (orbuttons of the electronic device) or from which the soft buttons 198 ofthe cover 100 (or buttons of the electronic device) can protrude. In atleast some embodiments, the hard shell 500 can include one or morecorner openings 595 which allow corner portions 195 of the cover 100 toprotrude to enhance corner protection using the flexibility of the cover100. Both the hard shell 500 and cover 100 can include openings 196 toallow access to a camera, a headphone jack, a switch, a speaker, amicrophone, or the like of the electronic device.

The combination of the hard shell 500 and the flexible cover 100 canalign and support the electronic device. In addition, the protrudingportions of the flexible cover 100, such as the protruding cornerportions 195, can act as soft bumpers to protect the electronic device.

In alternative embodiments, the electronic device can be inserted into ahard shell and then the device and hard shell can be inserted into anyone of the protective covers 100 described above. In yet otherembodiments, a hard shell can be provided as a removable (or permanent)liner for any of the protective covers 100 described above. The hardshells of these embodiments will include an opening through which themale plug 116 of the adapter 114 can protrude to allow connection to theinput/output socket of the electronic device by the male plug 116 of theadapter 114.

Instead of a clocking cradle, the portable electronic device and thecover can be coupled to an external adapter. FIGS. 51A-51D illustrate aportable electronic device 1 disposed in a cover 100 (which can be anyof the covers described herein) and an external adapter 600 with a wireor cable 615 extending from the external adapter. In FIG. 51A, theexternal adapter 600 is coupled to the adapter 114 of the cover 100. InFIGS. 51B-51D, the external adapter 600 is uncoupled from the adapter114 of the cover 100. In at least some embodiments, the external adapter600 only couples to the adapter 114 of the cover 100 and may onlycontact the cover 100 at the adapter 114 and, optionally, portions ofthe cover immediately adjacent to the adapter. The external adapter 600may not have a tray.

The external adapter 600 has a housing 602 with a plurality ofelectrical contacts 611 (FIGS. 51C and 51D) for mating with the contacts122 of the contactor 120 of the adapter 114 of the cover 100. Theelectrical contacts 611 are electrically coupled to the electrical wireor cable 615. In some embodiments, the electrical wire or cable 615 isdetachable from the external adapter 600. In some embodiments, the cable615 is any cable that may be used with the portable electronic deviceand includes a plug which fits into a corresponding receptacle on theexternal adapter 600.

In at least some embodiments, the adapter 114 and the external adapter600 include the components of the magnetic attraction couple describedabove with respect to the docking cradle 5. Alternatively oradditionally, the external adapter 600 and adapter 114 can include othercoupling elements to reliably attach the external adapter 600 to thecover 100. It will be understood that the docking cradles describedabove can also include any of these coupling elements.

In at least some embodiments, the external adapter 600 includes, as acoupling element, at least one ridged element 640 that can engage adetent 141 in the adapter 114. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS.51A-51D, the external adapter 600 includes two ridged elements 640opposite each other and the adapter 114 includes two detents 141 (one ofwhich is not shown) on opposite surfaces of the adapter 114. In at leastsome embodiments, the ridged elements 640 are, prior to engagement ofthe adapter 114, spaced apart by less than the corresponding width ofthe adapter 114 so that, when engaged in the detents 141, the two ridgedelements (and the external adapter 600) form a compression fit with theadapter 114 that resists decoupling of the ridged elements 640 from thedetents 141.

In at least some embodiments, the external adapter 600 further includesa tab 642 extending from one of the ridged elements 640 (or two tabswith each tab extending from a different one of the ridged elements) ina cantilever or other arrangement so that a user can push on the tab tocause the ridged element to disengage from the detent 14 so that theexternal adapter 600 can be decoupled from the adapter 114 of the cover100. Other disengagement methods or mechanisms can also be used. It willbe understood that in other embodiments, the cover may include at leastone ridge element (and optional tab) and the external adapter mayinclude at least one detent.

In at least some embodiments, the external adapter 600 can include oneor more gripping members 644, as a coupling element, that extend awayfrom the remainder of the external adapter 600 and are arranged so thatthey form a compression or friction grip on the adapter 114 when theexternal adapter 600 engages the adapter 114. This compression orfriction grip resists decoupling of the external adapter 600 from theadapter 114, but can be overcome by exertion of a decoupling force asthe user pulls the external adapter 600 and adapter 114 apart. Theillustrated embodiment of FIGS. 51A-51D includes two opposing grippingmembers 644, but it will be recognized that other embodiments canutilize more than two gripping members arranged around the externaladapter 600 or a single gripping member that is formed around the entire(or a part of the circumference of the external adapter 600. In at leastsome embodiments, the gripping member(s) 644 can be shaped to fit theshape of the corresponding parts of the adapter 114. For example, theadapter of FIG. 41 has a first edge 191 that is straight and a secondedge 192, opposite the first edge, that is curved and so grippingmembers 644 can be shaped with one having a shape to fit the straightfirst edge 191 and the other having a shape to fit the curved secondedge 192. It will be recognized that an external adapter (or dockingcradle) can include one or both of the ridged elements 640 and grippingmembers 644.

FIGS. 52A-F illustrate one embodiment of a docking cradle 5 with amovable arm 43 to receive a portable electronic device 1 in a cover 100(FIGS. 52E and 52F). In addition to the movable arm 43, the dockingcradle 5 includes a docking connector 3 with electrical contacts 11, atray 7, base receiver 9, and wire or cable 15 as described in any of theembodiments above. In at least some embodiments, the movable arm 43includes a forward extension 45 that fits over an edge (for example, thetop edge) of the portable electronic device 1 (FIGS. 52E and 52F) andcan include a lip 47 that contacts the front surface of the portableelectronic device 1 to assist in maintaining the portable electronicdevice engaged with the docking cradle.

The movable arm 43 can be moved from an extended position (FIGS. 52A and52B) to a close position (FIGS. 52C and 52D) and any intermediateposition, such as an engaged position (FIGS. 52E and 52F) where themovable arm 43 engages the portable electronic device 1 and cover 100 toand maintains the engagement of these components to the docking cradle5.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 52A-F, the moveable arm 43 iscoupled to a spring 750 (FIGS. 52B, 52D, 52F) that is biased toward theclose position of FIGS. 52C and 52D. It will be understood that othermechanical arrangements, such as a ratchet arrangement can be used inplace of the spring 750. The spring 750 resists the inadvertentdisengagement of the portable electronic device 1 and cover 100 from thedocking cradle 5 (as illustrated in FIGS. 52E and 52F). A user canextend the movable arm 43 away from the tray 7 to allow a portableelectronic device to be placed on the tray followed by releasing themovable arm to allow the movable arm to engage the portable electronicdevice to hold the device on the docking cradle. The user can disengagethe portable electronic device 1 and cover 100 from the docking cradle 5by extending the movable arm away from the portable electronic device,cover, and tray 7 to release the portable electronic device and cover.

While the preferred and additional alternative embodiments of theinvention have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciatedthat various changes can be made therein without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it will be appreciatedthat various changes can be made therein without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the inventor makes thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A docking system, comprising: a protective covercomprising a flexible protective shell comprising a panel and a skirtsurrounding the panel, wherein the panel and skirt form an interiorcavity therebetween, and the skirt forming a mouth opening thatcommunicates with the interior cavity, wherein the interior cavity isconfigured and arranged to receive an electronic device, wherein theshell is configured and arranged to at least partially cover one of aback face or a front face of the electronic device, at least partiallycover a plurality of side faces of the electronic device, and extendaround a peripheral edge of another one of the front face or the backface of the electronic device to secure the electronic device within theshell, and an adapter fixedly positioned in the shell, the adaptercomprising a male plug comprising a plurality of connectors extendinginto the interior cavity of the shell in an arrangement for mating witha female socket of the electronic device, and a contactor comprising aplurality of contacts adjacent to an exterior of the shell andelectrically coupled to one or more of the connectors of the plug; and adocking cradle comprising a tray configured to receive the cover, amovable arm coupled to the tray, and a docking connector disposedopposite the movable arm and comprising a plurality of contactspositioned to connect with one or more of the plurality of contacts ofthe contactor, wherein the movable arm is configured and arranged formovement between an extended position with the moveable arm extendedaway from the tray and a close position with the moveable arm close tothe tray.
 2. The docking system of claim 1, wherein the movable armcomprises a forward extension configured and arranged to fit over anedge of the electronic device received on the tray of the dockingcradle.
 3. The docking system of claim 2, wherein the forward extensioncomprises a lip configured and arranged to contact the front face of theelectronic device received on the tray of the docking cradle.
 4. Thedocking system of claim 1, wherein the docking cradle comprises a springcoupled to the movable arm and biased toward the close position.
 5. Thedocking system of claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises apositioning interface disposed on the shell and defining a rim aroundthe contactor of the adapter and the docking cradle further comprises abase receiver configured to mate with the positioning interface of thecover.
 6. The docking system of claim 5, wherein the positioninginterface defines an asymmetric rim and the base receiver defines anasymmetric rim configured and arranged to be disposed adjacent the rimof the positioning interface when the base receiver is mated to thepositioning interface.
 7. The docking system of claim 6, wherein theasymmetric rim of the positioning interface comprises a straight sideand a curved side opposite the straight side.
 8. The docking system ofclaim 5, wherein one of the positioning interface and the base receivercomprises a female portion and a different one of the positioninginterface and the base receiver comprises a male portion complementaryto the female portion.
 9. The docking system of claim 8, wherein theposition interface comprises the male portion and the base receivercomprises the female portion.
 10. The docking system of claim 5, whereinthe positioning interface comprises a first magnetic coupling elementresident in the shell adjacent to the contactor and the base receivercomprises a second magnetic coupling element, wherein the first magneticcoupling element comprises one of a magnetic material or a magneticallyattractive material and the second magnetic coupling element comprisesanother of the magnetic material or the magnetically attractivematerial.
 11. The docking system of claim 1, wherein the docking cradlefurther comprises a base receiver extending from the docking connectorand a cable attached to the base receiver.
 12. The docking system ofclaim 11, wherein the cable is removably attached to the base receiver.13. The docking system of claim 1, wherein the shell is configured andarranged to at least partially cover each of the side faces of theelectronic device.
 14. The docking system of claim 1, wherein the shellis configured and arranged to at least partially cover the back face ofthe electronic device and extend around a peripheral edge of the frontface of the electronic device to secure the electronic device within theshell.
 15. The docking system of claim 1, wherein the shell isconfigured and arranged to at least partially cover the back face of theelectronic device, to at least partially cover each of the side faces ofthe electronic device, and extend around a peripheral edge of the frontface of the electronic device to secure the electronic device within theshell.
 16. The docking system of claim 1, wherein the flexibleprotective shell forms a skin around a portion of the electronic device.17. The docking system of claim 1, wherein the docking cradle comprisesa ratchet arrangement coupled to the movable arm for moving the movablearm relative to the tray.
 18. The docking system of claim 1, wherein themale plug is a single male plug configured and arranged to mate with afemale power and input/output socket of the electronic device.
 19. Thedocking system of claim 1, further comprising the electronic device.